About this Abstract |
Meeting |
2024 ASC Technical Conference, US-Japan Joint Symposium, D30 Meeting
|
Symposium
|
2024 ASC Technical Conference, US-Japan Joint Symposium, D30 Meeting
|
Presentation Title |
Natural Fiber Reinforced Vitrimer Biocomposite with Enhanced Chemical Recyclability |
Author(s) |
Sargun Singh Rohewal, Nihal Kanbargi , Logan T. Kearney, Amit K Naskar |
On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Amit K Naskar |
Abstract Scope |
Fiber reinforced thermosets are ubiquitous and has garnered considerable attention in the composite’s world due to their crucial role in enhancing range of material properties, including strength, hardness, rheological and thermal behaviors. However, the escalating utilization of fiber-reinforced composites has led to a substantial increase in waste materials, including off-cuts generated during manufacturing and end-of-life components. The existing mechanical and thermo-mechanical recycling methods employed for various fiber-reinforced thermosets are inefficient and often lead to downcycling, as the process cannot fully preserve the original fiber’s length and properties. Addressing these challenges and moving towards the development of environmentally sustainable and technologically advanced fiber-reinforced composites necessitates a multifaceted and innovative approach. This study unveils a sustainable, easily recyclable biocomposite, leveraging the covalently adaptive networks in a vitrimer matrix. Vitrimer is an innovative class of polymeric materials which demonstrates traditional thermoset-like mechanical and chemical resilience while still being able to flow on demand akin to thermoplastic through relaxation caused by rapid bond exchange in the networked structures. Herein, high-performance natural fiber reinforced vitrimer composites are developed using a ester-based vitrimer from biogenic building blocks as the polymer matrix and multi-layered, nonwoven natural fiber mat as reinforcing scaffold. The ester-based adaptive network plays a crucial role in enabling exceptional fiber-matrix bonding, as well as recyclability. The vitrimer matrix dissolves in ethylene glycol through transesterification, facilitating complete material recovery and biocomposite recycling without compromising the original properties of the matrix and reinforcing fibers. This study sheds light on recyclable, high-performing biocomposites while demonstrating shape-memory capabilities. |
Proceedings Inclusion? |
Definite: Post-meeting proceedings |